The Education Fund is a benefit we bargained for that provides training, education opportunities, and tuition assistance to Kaiser SEIU members. And it’s extremely popular: 20% of our Kaiser members in the NW participated in an Education Fund program last year, and participation is expected to grow in 2018!
But just like our healthcare and retirement benefits, we’re going to have to fight to keep this resource…and make it easier for us to use.
We need to KEEP our Education Fund.
When we bargained our Education Fund, we sent a message to Kaiser management that we want to be rooted at Kaiser and grow in our careers in a trusted, quality healthcare system. The more we learn, the better we can perform our jobs. We’re telling management to continue investing in us by keeping our Fund intact!
We need PAID EDUCATION LEAVE to earn our CEUs.
Our Education Fund helps us give excellent patient care by offering us opportunities to stay compliant and keep our skills fresh, and learn new skills to help us grow in our careers. RNs get paid education leave, and we should, too. We deserve it, and our patients deserve it.
“I was asked to do some public speaking recently and realized I could benefit from taking a class in communication. I signed up for a class at community college, and I don’t have to pay out of pocket since I’m in the Education Fund’s Step Program. All Kaiser SEIU members should know about this benefit and fight to keep it!”
-Carol Slevkovsky, Phelbotomist, Skyline
“Educational advancement is a high priority for our SEIU Kaiser members. Kaiser is lucky to have such a skilled and motivated workforce. In these negotiations we are going to advocate to ensure we protect and improve the Education Fund resources, so our members can pursue their career goals.”
-Meg Niemi, President, SEIU 49
Learn more about the Education Fund at seiu-uhweduc.org.
TAKE ACTION
The bargaining committee will be holding worksite actions about our education benefits this week. Call a CAT member or bargaining team member to find out how to participate!